Update Google Pixel 3 / Pixel 3 XL to December Pie Factory Image

Here is how you can update Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones immediately to December 2018 official firmware update using ADB and Fastboot. Pixel line of devices from Google are preferred by users due to their amazing software support. As Google maintains the Android Open Source code base, it pushes any new changes immediately to its own devices first. Similarly, the monthly security changes that the brand is set on maintaining for Android, get released first for Pixel smartphones. Now, if you have a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL, you can use the steps ahead to manually update your smartphone with December 2018 factory image.

Just like the fast software update releases, Pixel smartphones have a great built-in OTA (Over-the-air) update system as well which allows for seamless upgradation. However, if you have modified or rooted your Pixel 3, this update system becomes quite useless. In that case, you should use the manual procedure listed below. Further, if you are looking to return to stock settings after testing out root or a custom ROM, this guide will help you unroot your phone. One thing we recommend you do before proceeding is, backup all your data because system updates might cause your phone to factory reset.

Disclaimer: All the custom ROMs and firmware, official software updates, tools, mods or anything mentioned in the tutorial belong to their respective owners/developers. We (TeamAndroid.com) or the developers are not to be held responsible if you damage or brick your device. We don’t have you on gun point to try out this tutorial 😉

New December 2018 update, along with security fixes, carries a number of bug-fixes and system improvements. If the camera wasn’t already good enough, Google has went on to improve it even further with the new build. Also, changes have been made to fix memory management which should fix issues with performance. For the full official change-log, read here.

Meanwhile, you should also check out the following articles:

Root Tutorial: How to Root Pixel 3 on Android 9.0 Pie December 2018 Official Update.

Google Pixel 3 / Pixel 3 XL USB Drivers

You will need to connect your Android phone with the computer. For that, please make sure you have installed the USB drivers for Google Pixel 3 / Pixel 3 XL properly. If not, you can download the latest official drivers from our Android USB Drivers section here:

We have put together a detailed step-by-step instructions guide on how to install the official Android 9.0 Pie (December 2018) on Pixel 3 using the factory image provided by Google. This tutorial is for beginners who are not used to playing around with official factory images by Google for their Nexus devices.

Please make sure your phone fulfills all the requirements and you read the entire tutorial once before actually performing it on your device.

Disclaimer: Try this on your own risk. We are not responsible if you mess up with your Pixel 3.

Just To Remember:

This tutorial is only for Google Pixel 3 / Pixel 3 XL and we are not sure if it will work on the other variants of the Pixel 3 on other carriers.

Your phone can be on any previous Android version or even on a custom ROM. It doesn’t matter at all. This tutorial will still work for installing Android 9.0 Pie.

NOTE: Installing Android 9.0 Pie December 2018 factory image will WIPE / DELETE / ERASE everything from your phone even if your bootloader is still locked or already unlocked. Please make sure you have a backup of all the data. Read: How to Backup Android Apps and Other Data.